I am considering buying a 38' fiberglass sailboat that has been on the hard for the past 4 years (after the owner died). His widow is selling and I can get a pretty good price. My question, naturally enough, is "What else is this gonna cost me?" The boat has a lot of untreated teak (includung decks), an unused engine and systems that have been absolutly dry for 4 years. It has been stored covered (not inside) with the rigging down since just before the owner died. What kind of considerations are there? After I pay to move it cross country ($5,000), I assume I will have to: Restore all cosmetics Disassemble/lubricate/rebuild all systems Rebuild engine What else? Fully restored, she is worth around 3-4 times what I will probably pay and twice what I will have in her after restoration. Any advise would be appreciated as I have to move pretty fast.
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Lots of projects
Glenn- Your post doesn't indicate brand, however here are some of the things you have to consider: Sails - cost to recondition/replace Standing Rigging - Replace! Running Rigging - Potential Replacement (I would) Decks - Do they leak? If so, major expense Engine - condition, hours, past care Systems - age, reliability, replacement costs Above all, I would not buy this boat without a survey from a reputable surveyor. They can uncover a lot of problems and give you some idea of costs. Fair winds and good luck, Steve S/V Options
Glenn- Your post doesn't indicate brand, however here are some of the things you have to consider: Sails - cost to recondition/replace Standing Rigging - Replace! Running Rigging - Potential Replacement (I would) Decks - Do they leak? If so, major expense Engine - condition, hours, past care Systems - age, reliability, replacement costs Above all, I would not buy this boat without a survey from a reputable surveyor. They can uncover a lot of problems and give you some idea of costs. Fair winds and good luck, Steve S/V Options
Get a survey
"Estate" sale boats can be real deals (I bought and restored one). They can also be real dogs. You're on the right track when you say you'll have less invested in her after she's fully restored than you can sell her for...the trick is to KNOW how much you'll have to put into her. And you're on the right track with your list of probable repairs. But again, the trick is to have as complete a list as it's possible to have. That's where a really GOOD surveyor can be worth his/her weight in gold...'cuz they know what to look for that isn't obvious to anyone who isn't trained to look for 'em. So if you like the boat, and it appears to be sound with salvageable systems and rigging for a reasonable pricce, make an offer "subject to survey." Call ABYC (410-956-1050) for a recommendation in the area where the boat is located. Good luck with it...restoring and upgrading an older boat is not only a rewarding experience, it can also be HIGHLY educational.
"Estate" sale boats can be real deals (I bought and restored one). They can also be real dogs. You're on the right track when you say you'll have less invested in her after she's fully restored than you can sell her for...the trick is to KNOW how much you'll have to put into her. And you're on the right track with your list of probable repairs. But again, the trick is to have as complete a list as it's possible to have. That's where a really GOOD surveyor can be worth his/her weight in gold...'cuz they know what to look for that isn't obvious to anyone who isn't trained to look for 'em. So if you like the boat, and it appears to be sound with salvageable systems and rigging for a reasonable pricce, make an offer "subject to survey." Call ABYC (410-956-1050) for a recommendation in the area where the boat is located. Good luck with it...restoring and upgrading an older boat is not only a rewarding experience, it can also be HIGHLY educational.
One Experience, Glenn:
My Brother bought a 24' Skipjack (power-twin Volvos) that had only 160 hours on it and was ten years old. It had been stored on a trailor. We had to replace all the cooling and valve cover gaskets, batteries, impellers, belts, hoses and rewire some electrical the rodents had done in. Also replaced the head, and cleaned up the electrical connections. You will want to lube all the through hulls. Note: we did this piece by piece, trying to sink the boat along the way. If I were you, I'd just do it all at once. As for the rigging and sails, have a rigger check it. The sails are whatever they are. If you got it right, you will end up with a great, refurbished boat, which is what the rest of us do (if we care) but piece by piece. Congrads! Rick D. PS: what kind of 38? It's OK, we won't flame you...
My Brother bought a 24' Skipjack (power-twin Volvos) that had only 160 hours on it and was ten years old. It had been stored on a trailor. We had to replace all the cooling and valve cover gaskets, batteries, impellers, belts, hoses and rewire some electrical the rodents had done in. Also replaced the head, and cleaned up the electrical connections. You will want to lube all the through hulls. Note: we did this piece by piece, trying to sink the boat along the way. If I were you, I'd just do it all at once. As for the rigging and sails, have a rigger check it. The sails are whatever they are. If you got it right, you will end up with a great, refurbished boat, which is what the rest of us do (if we care) but piece by piece. Congrads! Rick D. PS: what kind of 38? It's OK, we won't flame you...
I did the same
My boat was in the water, the main problem was the engine. I had to replace all hoses, belts, raw water pump, fuel pump, and flush out the fuel system. The head had to be replaced also, all the rubber had gone bad. I on the other hand got a great price for the boat, and for a few dollars and some work I have a boat worth more. PS I had a great survey done, both on the hull and motor, which helped me with the price.
My boat was in the water, the main problem was the engine. I had to replace all hoses, belts, raw water pump, fuel pump, and flush out the fuel system. The head had to be replaced also, all the rubber had gone bad. I on the other hand got a great price for the boat, and for a few dollars and some work I have a boat worth more. PS I had a great survey done, both on the hull and motor, which helped me with the price.
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